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Wednesday, July 09, 2008

‘Major coup’ for charity Jan Kriel wine auction

Friday, 16 May 2008International leader in the wine industry, Mike Ratcliffe, will auction off a list of top wines at the prestigious London Jan Kriel Charity Wine Auction scheduled for Thursday, May 22. The 10th annual auction in the British capital is one of the city’s only charity events aimed at helping South African children with epilepsy and special educational needs.Ratcliffe qualified as a business major before attending the University of Adelaide and was in the first graduating class for the Graduate Diploma in Wine Marketing.He is now managing director of his family estate, Warwick, which is recognised as one of South Africa’s foremost wine estates.Mike is also owner and partner in the first and only South African/American luxury winemaking joint venture – Vilafonte. In 1997 Ratcliffe founded Rootstock, an organisation dedicated to the upliftment and education of the youth of the wine industry with a practical focus on marketing and management.He was an instrumental participant in reigniting the concept for a “Cape Blend” (Pinotage-blend) which has since become an integral part of the Cape high-end wine offerings.Ratcliffe is a board member of WOSA, (Wines of South Africa), the generic export promotion board for the SA Wine Industry and has participated actively on the marketing committee of the Stellenbosch Wine Route.He is keenly involved in black economic empowerment and land redistribution as deputy chairman of the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT).Ratcliffe’s presence as auctioneer at the London Jan Kriel Charity Wine Auction was described by project co-ordinator Marco Pereira “a major coup” for the event.“As regular international wine judge, industry commentator and marketing coordinator, it gives the event international appeal,” Pereira said.The event will take place at the New Connaught Rooms, 61 - 65 Great Queen Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5DA. To secure a seat or a tabel at this event, contact Marco Pereira on 08702244081 or mail to info@jkwineauction.org.